Premila Kumar Explained

Premila Kumar is a Fijian consumer advocate, politician and former Cabinet Minister. She served as chief executive of the Consumer Council of Fiji from 2006 to 2018, and then as a Cabinet Minister in the government of Frank Bainimarama from 2018 to 2022. She is a member of the FijiFirst party.

Early life

Kumar was born in Suva and educated at Suva Methodist Primary School, Dudley Intermediate, and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School.^[1] She then studied for a bachelor of science at Sophia College for Women in India, before working as a teacher.^[1] She later completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of the South Pacific, and a Master of Science in trade and the environment in the Netherlands.^[2] She later worked as a Government environmental advocate and as an investment manager at Fiji Islands Trade & Investment Bureau.^[3]

In 2006 she was appointed chief executive of the Consumer Council of Fiji.^[2] As chief executive she led campaigns on drug prices,^[4] bank fees,^[5] and fuel prices,^[6] among other issues. She also served as a council member of Consumers International.^[2] She resigned as chief executive in July 2018^[7] in order to pursue a career in politics.

In 2010 the Fiji Times named her the most influential woman of the year.^[2] In 2015 she was awarded the Executive Woman of the Year Award in 2015 by Women in Business.^[8]

Political career

Kumar was selected as a candidate for the FijiFirst party for the 2018 Fijian general election.^[9] She was elected, and appointed Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Local Government, and Housing.^{[10] [11]} As a Minister, she opposed the restoration of elected local councils, which had been abolished by the military regime in 2009.^[12] A cabinet reshuffle in April 2020 saw her surrender the Commerce, Trade and Tourism portfolio to former Minister Faiyaz Koya, while continuing as Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development.^[13] A further reshuffle in August 2021 saw her appointed Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, and surrender the Housing and Community Development portfolios to Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.^[14]

She was re-elected in the 2022 election,^[15] winning 1025 votes,^[16] but lost her Cabinet position when the Bainimarama regime lost power to the coalition government.^[17]

Notes and References

1. Web site: MEET PREMILA KUMAR . FijiTuwawa News . 15 July 2007 . 31 March 2023.
2. Web site: From An Influential Consumer Advocate To Member Of Parliament. Fiji Sun . 20 November 2018 . 23 October 2018.
3. Web site: KUMAR SPENDS FIRST 12 MONTHS STREAMLINING POLICIES, SYSTEMS . FijiSun . 18 November 2019 . 31 March 2023 . PressReader.
4. Web site: Drug prices in Fiji double says new survey . . 12 January 2010 . 31 March 2023.
5. Web site: Fiji's Reserve Bank urged to review fees and charges . . 20 February 2014 . 31 March 2023.
6. Web site: Fiji Consumer Council shocked at size of fuel price rise . . 6 August 2008 . 31 March 2023.
7. Web site: Premila Kumar Resigns . Fiji Sun . 7 July 2018 . 31 March 2023.
8. Web site: Premila Thanks Three Men Who Helped Shape Her Career . Fiji Sun . 9 March 2015 . 31 March 2023.
9. Web site: FijiFirst announces candidates but no election date . . 20 September 2018 . 31 March 2023.
10. Web site: Fiji Government ministers sworn in . . 22 November 2018 . 31 March 2023.
11. Web site: Bainimarama and his ministers sworn in as Fiji's government gets down to business . Stuff . 22 November 2018 . 31 March 2023.
12. Web site: No municipal elections for Fiji until "major reforms" . . 9 January 2019 . 31 March 2023.
13. Web site: Fiji PM reshuffles cabinet, Faiyaz Koya gets commerce portfolio . . 21 April 2020 . 31 March 2023.
14. Web site: Fiji Village . Rosy Akbar is now Minister for Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation while Premila Kumar is new Education Minister . 22 August 2021 . 31 March 2023 . en.
15. Web site: Fiji's general election: All the latest results . . 19 December 2022 . 31 March 2023.
16. Web site: Premila Devi Kumar (331) . Fijian Elections Office . 31 March 2023.
17. Web site: Sitiveni Rabuka is Fiji's new prime minister . . 24 December 2022 . 31 March 2023.